Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher delivered a remarkably close fight for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear on Saturday night.
Ospreay entered the match looking to defend his title again, while Fletcher came in with plenty to prove. On the final Dynamite before the event, Fletcher had admitted he was jealous of Ospreay and the success he’d found after returning from injury.
At the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Fletcher repeatedly went after Ospreay’s neck. He kept up the attack even after taking a Hidden Blade and a Styles Clash. Later, Ospreay climbed toward the top rope, only for Fletcher to counter with a punishing brainbuster. It still wasn’t enough to get the pin.
Fletcher’s frustration got the better of him. He turned away from Ospreay to shout at the referee, giving the champion an opening.
Ospreay opened a cut on Fletcher and began striking the back of his head before setting up another Hidden Blade. He missed as Fletcher dropped to the mat, apparently exhausted. For a moment, it wasn’t clear how Ospreay could finish the match.
Fletcher seemed to be playing possum and nearly caught Ospreay with a quick roll-up, but the referee didn’t reach three. Ospreay followed with a Stormbreaker. Fletcher somehow lifted a shoulder just before the count was complete.
Fletcher shouted, “I hate you!” as Ospreay went for another Hidden Blade. Ospreay missed, but the match soon erupted into a frantic closing sequence. He landed two more Hidden Blades and a Tiger Driver, using everything he had to finally put Fletcher away.
Mike Bailey, Alex Windsor, Jamie Hayter and Andrade watched from ringside, visibly stunned by the finish. Windsor, Ospreay’s wife, kissed him as they celebrated his win.
Ospreay remains at the top of AEW after taking the championship from Kenny Omega at All In. Andrade, who earned a title opportunity at that event, appeared to be next in line.
Then Maxwell Jacob Friedman arrived carrying his own world championship. MJF has insisted he is still champion, despite losing the title to Omega earlier this year. The United Empire rushed out to attack him, but MJF managed to get away.
